Judging a Book by Its Cover


I just got my cover for my eRed Sage story, Sex and the Single Pearl, which has a tentative release date of August…and I love it! It’s beautiful and sensual, and prominently features the pearl, which is an integral part of the story. After sending it out to several friends and writing buddies, I got a few comments that the MEN really enjoyed this cover.


It got me thinking about what’s appealing to men and women and how it differs. The men obviously responded to the cover because of the sexy woman with the great bod. I think women will be drawn to this cover because there are two men in the picture and the fantasies and possibilities surrounding that image make most women drool. LOL However, I don’t think the woman’s body prominently displayed on the cover is a turn-off for most women, like a man’s half-naked body would be for a man. Don’t get me wrong, I adore sexy nekkid hunks (sounds like a great name for a band!) as much as the next girl, but I love the sensuality and the hint of mystery in this cover. By the way, the very talented Rae Monet created the cover for Sex and the Single Pearl.


What types of covers do you like, especially for erotic romance? Are you a guys-only kind of girl? Do you like to see faces or just the bodies? Do you like explicit sexuality or do you prefer the strategically-placed silk sheet?

7 comments:

Donna Marie Rogers said...

Hi Carol! I don't have a particular like or dislike, really. A cover either appeals to me or it don't. Sorry, that's so simple of an answer...LOL Rae Monet did my Mischief in the Dark cover, by the way, she's amazing.

I do think a cover should reflect the story in some way, like your pearl, for example. My cover for Lying Eyes is of photos, which are intregal to the story.

Because I've seen the photo that was used for Game On on several other covers, I'm starting to wonder if faceless isn't the way to go from now on. :-)

~Donna (Liza James)

Nicole North said...

I think your cover is fantastic, Mia! Very sensual, like you said. Yeah, I like those nekkid hunk covers too. ;) Either with or without faces/heads is fine with me too so long as the whole design works. I wouldn't personally want a cover that's too graphic or too porn like. A hint at erotic but also tasteful is what I prefer.

Natasha Moore said...

Gorgeous cover, Mia! Mmmm. I love those hunk only covers (like mine for Quinn's Curse), but the sensual ones with the couples are so sexy. Faces don't seem to matter one way or the other to me, but when they work, a sexy guy's face can certainly draw me to a book. The "it depends" answer is all I can give you. A talented cover artist (like Rae) can elevate the cover to "art" no matter what the image.

Mia Varano said...

Liza, I prefer faceless myself just because it allows you to fill in the blanks when you read the story.

Nicole, I've seen a few erotic "romance" covers that were a little too graphic for my tastes. It's that imgination thing again.

Natasha, you've got a hunk and a half for Quinn's Curse. Mmmm, love that cover...

Rae Monet said...

Well, I just love a good cover, and designing them for Red Sage is a real pleasure. For this one, I had to think of a way to place two men, but still make it tasteful and classy, with that hint of sensuality because...well...I can't build a cover any other way. I was very, very pleased with the results and even more pleased the author liked it. When you design a cover, and send it in, then you basically hold your breath until you hear it's been accepted and liked. They like me...they really really like me. *he he he*.

Amber Leigh Williams said...

Rae Monet did the cover for Denied Origin which I love, love, love!!! The hubby loved the cover for Sex and the Single Pearl for obvious reasons, but I love it because though there is a pretty-much naked woman on the cover, it's classy and I believe you'll sell a lot of books to women because of it!

Amber

Mia Varano said...

You do such a great job, Rae. How could I not be happy with that cover?

Amber, I'm glad your hubby liked the cover. Maybe you can get him to read it!